Komodo Dragons Hatch At L.A. Zoo

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world. This endangered species is native to Indonesia.

According to the L.A. Zoo, less than 10 zoos in North America have succeeded in breeding Komodo dragons. Lima, the L.A. Zoo's female Komodo dragon, laid 23 eggs on January 22, 2010. All but one hatched.

The 22 hatchling Komodo dragons are not yet on display, but the zoo plans to exhibit them in its children's zoo in the future.

According to news sources, the only Komodo dragons remaining in the wild are at Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Komodo dragons are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). According to CITES, species in Appendix I are threatened with extinction.